TravelDuties

The world renowned Ayasofya was built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian around 537 AD, and it was used as a church for over 900 plus years. It then became a mosque for 481 years, and Turkey’s first President, Ataturk, officially declared it as a museum in 1935. Today, it is no longer used as a place of worship such as a church or mosque, so you shouldn’t be too concerned with your attire of the taking of photos as you should be at some other religious landmarks located inside Istanbul, the Capital City.

Considered the first and last unique application in terms of its architecture (it was built on a square base rather than the common rectangular one), magnificence and functionality, it has been the main inspiration for many of the Ottoman Empire mosques over 10 centuries. The incredible frescoes and mosaics, the Renaissance era paintings, are located in the upper gallery, however despite being damaged, are among the most visited sites in the city. From 2007-2008, each and every gold tile piece of the ceiling will be restored to its former glory. Ayasofya is a number one must-see in Istanbul. As one of the most known tourist attractions inside Turkey, be sure to make a full day of a trip dedicated to the Hagia Sophia.

Photo by: M Hussain

If you’re planning an extended vacation or business trip to the Iberian Peninsula you may want to look into a car hire service for your travel needs. At some point, taking too many taxis and shuttle rides can outweigh the costs of just renting your own personal transportation.

With so much to see and do in Spain you’ll surely want to setup your own travel itinerary that isn’t constructed by some anonymous travel agency. By finding a car hire Spain you can have your own transportation and see the attractions of the country at your leisure. By taking this approach, you can not only do what you want but you can keep your costs down by not wasting money on things dictated by your third-party transportation provider.

The same goes for anyone interested in visiting Portugal. A car hire Portugal is a great idea for both new and frequent visitors to the region. Some of Portugal’s best tourist attractions are spread far apart thanks to the county’s wonderful geography. By driving your own way throughout Portugal you can get more out of your vacation than a typical traveler by enjoying the countryside between destinations.

Las Vegas is probably the most exciting city I have ever had the pleasure of visiting in my life, and that is only the night life. I can not think of another city in the world, except for maybe New York City, that has the same level of atmosphere, life and energy. Las Vegas is paradise for a tourist, offering anything and everything your heart could ever desire. If you take one of the popular Las Vegas Tours available throughout the city you’ll know what I mean.

The first and most obvious reasons for going to Las Vegas are the casinos, bars, and clubs. Las Vegas offers the most diversified and stunning nightlife of anywhere else in the world. As soon as the sun sets, Las Vegas is just waking up. Just walking down the main casino strip is a spectacle all of its own. If you stand at one end of the strip and look down to the other end, all you will see is the flashing of millions of neon lights in more colors than you ever though imaginable. The atmosphere of Las Vegas is like nothing else I have ever experienced. There is always something going on. Whether it is a casino, night club, or one of the world class Las Vegas Shows, you will never be with a dull moment.

In my opinion, Las Vegas provides the best of everything. With developers always pushing the envelope and trying to out do each other, you can be sure that the service being offered to you is world class, even of you aren‘t a high roller. Speaking of, if gambling isn’t your thing there are still plenty of options for you such as taking a Grand Canyon Tour.

Photo by: Marcin Jochimczyk

In 2009, Royal Caribbean will be launching their brand new luxury cruise ship called the Oasis of the Seas. This new cruise ship is more of a floating city then a sea vessel. The amenities and details on this ship are amazing. The cruise ship will have 16 decks and approximately 2,700 staterooms to accommodate over 5,000 passengers at any one time.

My favorite feature of the Oasis of the Seas cruise ship is what they call the “Central Park Neighborhood” which will contain an outdoor setting onboard. Staterooms with balconies will surround Central Park so guests can over look the natural setting from the comfort and peace of their rooms. Aside from the greenery, Central Park will also be home to a series of lavish restaurants and shops for travelers to enjoy.

The Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas will be visiting a variety of Caribbean locations but your journey will start in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. You can already book your stay on this luxury cruise ship and that might not be a bad idea. While the boat doesn’t launch until 2009 it’s sure to be a hot seller with travel agents this year.

If you’re thinking about traveling to New Zealand for your next vacation a great place to look for information is at a New Zealand travel blog. There are so many things to see and do in the land of the Kiwis that it can be a bit overwhelming. A blog about New Zealand travel is a great resource to help you separate what is best for you to do while visiting New Zaland on vacation.

The best kinds of travel blogs are the ones that offer comprehensive reviews of New Zealand accommodation. This becomes even more of a problem when you’re trying to decide on whether or not you should stay on the North Island or the South Island of New Zealand. Most tourists are inclined to visit Wellington, located on the North Island, but there are plenty of great attractions on the South Island as well.

The South Island is the largest of the two and contains much more mountainous terrain than the North Island. The Southern Alps run along the length of the South Island and are of great interests to travelers looking for an outdoor adventure or vacation.